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Parents and union leader press TUSD for better IEP implementation and criticize large teacher release list
Summary
Two public commenters urged the Tustin Unified School District to improve supports for students with IEPs and to reverse or minimize certificated releases; the union president said 272 educators appear on the release list, disproportionately affecting specialized programs.
At the Tustin Unified School District board meeting on March 18, two public commenters urged the district to do more for students and teachers.
Valeria Meza, a community member and graduate student in social work, told the board she has seen students with individualized education programs (IEPs) sent home or disciplined rather than provided required accommodations. She urged expanded staff training for general education teachers and increased school‑based mental‑health services, calling for stronger partnerships with community providers so students with IEPs "feel supported, included and able to succeed."
Lisa Hickman, president of the Tustin Educators Association, addressed the certificated personnel report slated later in the agenda and said the release list contains 272 educators, which she described as about 24% of the district's certificated workforce. Hickman listed school‑level and department percentages she said were affected — including special education, TK, counselors, and high‑need subject areas — and argued that such cuts disrupt students and that staffing reductions should begin at higher levels of the organization rather than in classrooms.
"This list includes 272 educators. That is 24% of your educator workforce," Hickman said, adding that many on the list have three to five years of service with no path to permanency.
Board members did not provide a confirming district total on the record during public comment. The certificated personnel report was included later in the agenda packet and personnel items were acted on during the meeting; detailed HR confirmations (such as a districtwide count verified by HR) were not read aloud during the public comment period.
The public commenters asked for concrete board direction: Meza asked for more training and mental‑health resources; Hickman asked for a commitment to retaining educators, especially in high‑need fields. The board approved the personnel and related actions during the meeting; follow‑up implementation details and any plan to address the commenters' specific requests were not detailed verbally on the record.
